New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-20

reports Of divorce trials have come to naught.
Mr.. Matthews spoke with confidence in the House
of Commons of this interesting scheme but 1t
appears on examination that Sir James Hannen
has no legal authority to enforce any supervision
whatever over the reporters who are present in
his court and still less over the editors In their
sanctums. So once moro the public is asked to
take the remedy into its own hands and decline
to buy indecent papers, but the public will GER
tainly do nothing of the kind. One paper, which
carried its dcbauchery in print beyond oil pre-
viousy known limits, rejoices the failure
of this scheme, which, without the least reason.
it calls an attempt to hush up scandals in high
life
The literary announcements Of the week arc
rather more numerous and interesting than usual
in these calm days. The most are from "Thc
Athen um," beginning with promise of a memoir
of Lord Iddcsleigh. Materials for this are said
to be ample and important, including diaries and
masses of private letters and political correspond.
cnce. But the public may well hope for con-
tradiction Of "The Athcneum's' statement that
the work will be executed solely by the late Earl s
family. The book if rightly DONE will be inter
csting for the very reasons which impaired the
completeness of Lord Iddeslcigh's political ca
He many-sided man, who touched
life at many remote points.
The character of Lord Wolseley's article on
General Robert E. Lee in the March "Macmil-
lan's' can be predicted with certainty. His ad-
miration Of that Southern leader amounts 10
idOlatry. General Lee fascinated General WOlscley
when, early in the war and when on duty in
Canada, the latter crossed the American lines,
reached the Rebel camp after some adventures
and spent considerable time with General Lee
as his guest. An anonymous account Of this
episode in the career of "England's only general
written by him for ."Blac<woods Maga-
zine" at the time.
There are perhaps people who care TO know
that Mr.. George Meredith is about to publish,
with the Macmillans n new volume of poems
entitled "Songs and Ballads Of Tragic Life"
Mr.. Chamberlain's speeches on the Irish qucs-
tion belong primarily 10 politics. but the volume
shortly to be issued has place also in literature
by reason of the extreme finish and careful at
tention to style, which this very remarkable sTeak
er now carries perhaps as far any English con-
temporary.
Charles Rcades biography is in press, edited,
piled chiefly from his literary remains. No jus
tce has yet anywhere been done TO the interest
of Rcadc's individuality, which was certainly
not less remarkable than his remarkable gifts
and qualities as a writer
Mrs. BIowning's popularity seems perennial.
helped no doubt by the steady growing fame OF
her husband. Two new editions Of her works
one pirated and the other prepared by Mr..
browning himself, have been enormously sold or
subscribed for
Sir John f. Millais is engaged on two import
ant portraits. Lord harrington will occupy
conspicuous place in that gallery of distinguished
Enelishmcn whom this artist has painted during
the last twenty years. The other is the Countess
of Dalbousic, whose portrait by NJ. Carolus Du-
ran which figured three years ago at the Royal
Academy was but coarse caricature Of a bcauti
full Both Lord harrington and Lady
Dalhousic have given Sir John T.. Millais several
sttings.
The American Minister and Mrs. Phelps leave
London for Cannes, probably next week, n
short visit TO Mr. j. s. Morgan, who has villa
there. Mis-. rhclrss reception yesterday after
moor was the last Of those interesting Anglo
American gatherings for the present. Wv. :.